News Briefs

+ Auditors reveal problem with School District bonds

An unauthorized transfer of funds could severely impact the Manatee County School District’s budget, according to findings in an auditors report released May 27.

At the Manatee County School Board’s meeting, Shinn & Co. — the company hired to perform the district’s audits — said it discovered discrepancies in the way bond money was transferred from one account to another.

In 2009, a bond provided $45.2 million specifically to fund projects at schools such as Palmetto High School and G.D. Rogers Garden Elementary School.

The report submitted to the school district last week showed $38.8 million was used, and the remaining $6.4 million was moved to “inappropriate accounts” without authorization.

Shinn & Co. conducted an audit of a bond chosen at random, and said no paperwork has been found that shows board members approved the transfer of the $6.4 million, which occurred in 2009 by then-Superintendent Tim McGonegal.

Board Chairwoman Julie Aranibar said board members must approve the transfer of bond dollars.

The investigation is ongoing.

Aranibar worries the finding of misuse of one bond will lead to a recall of all the bonds the school district has, which means the school district would have to repay the bonds immediately, she said.

A recall could also lead to the district’s loss of possession of the county’s school buildings, Aranibar said.

The school board will discuss the bond in question and will review its other bonds at a workshop at 3 p.m.
June 23, at the School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

MEETINGS & AGENDAS

• Manatee County School District Audit Committee Meeting — 3 to 6 p.m. June 10, at the School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

• Manatee County School District Board Workshop — 3 to 5 p.m. June 10, at the School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

• Manatee County School District Board Meeting — 5:45 to 8 p.m. June 10, at the School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

• Manatee County Planning Commission Meeting — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 12, on the first floor of the County Administration Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.